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Re: streaming recommendations for newbie

Hi,

I'd like to finally enter the streaming world with my hifi system and am looking for recommendations.  I have streaming music in my car and on my computer, but I can't currently access any streaming services on my hifi system because I have tube gear and neither it nor my old backup gear have streaming capacity or a DAC (other than the CD player).  

 I guess that I need to buy both a streamer and a DAC?  I now have a pretty decent hifi system, but I want start out with modest priced streaming gear.    

Can anyone recommend a streamer & DAC, or unit that does both?  Does it make sense to put more $$ in a DAC or in a steamer?  Not sure about budget, but I'm thinking $500-1000 used for both as a starting point. Thank you.

Terry

tlh28
rayray7488
12 posts
 

A refurbished Denon dnp2000ne with factory warranty is $888 on accessories4less right now. You could add a 3 year extended warranty and still be under $1000. 

 

tlh28 OP
91 posts
 

I sort of let this thread drop after starting it.  For anyone interested after all this time, I bought a Bluesound node 2i.  I'm quite happy with it although to my ears the sound quality isn't the equal to that of  my cd player.

ghdprentice
8,119 posts
 

Congratulations.

Yep, that is why streamers start with low budgets and go up beyond $20K. The better design and materials, the better they sound. 

jetter
3,118 posts
 

@tlh28 

I have had the node 2i for a number of years.  The streamer is fine in my opinion, but the internal DAC is not.  While I had my DAC being updated/modded, I was dependent on the 2i internal DAC, and I pretty much stopped streaming/listening altogether.  When I received my DAC back from being modded I connected it to the 2i via coaxial and great sounds again.

12many
305 posts
 

I started with a bluesound node and it was a great first step.  Sounded great and worked with amazon.  I was happy as can be to have access to so much music and great sound.  On the advice of others, I then upgraded to an Aurender N150 streamer and qobuz even though I did not think it would improve the sound quality.  I was wrong - it was an easy to notice improvement. 

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